When I first saw the thread title, I was coming here to actually talk football, since I was the one who posted the "Eagles will win the Superbowl" thread a few months back.
But since it's turned into a Vick hatefest based on the heinous actions he did commit, then served 21 months in prison for, I'll discuss the hypocrisy demonstrated by most football fans who's only response to the Eagles/Vick is the dogfighting issue.
First, let me say that I am a dog lover. We have several dogs of our own, and I consider them members of my family, not just pets. I find what Michael Vick did to be dispicable, deplorable and disgusting. That being said, Vick served 21 months in federal prison, followed by two months of home confinement for his involvement in dog-fighting and money laundering related to the operations of Bad Newz Kennelz. He was also suspended from the NFL from August 2007 until September 2009. I'm a firm believer in allowing those who serve their punishment to have a second chance at life. If he were to screw up again, let him rot. And for those who mentioned that he should have to work at an animal shelter, I do know that he does work with the humane society on a regular basis. Whether it's actually in a shelter or not, I do not know.
I don't want to make excuses for Vick's criminal acts, but in the context of this discussion, it should be noted that in many cultures, dog fighting is normal. It once was actually sanctioned and promoted in the U.S. as well. Regardless, it doesn't take away the fact that he did commit some atrocious crimes with those dogs.
Now, let's take a look at some other active players in the NFL, who never seem to get any grief from NFL fans.
Donte Stalworth:
Quote:
Stallworth was charged with DUI and second degree manslaughter on April 1, 2009; he surrendered to police on April 2, 2009, and was released on $200,000 bail. He pled guilty, and received a sentence of 30 days in jail, plus 1,000 hours of community service, 2 years of house arrest, and 8 years probation. He has also received a life-time suspension of his Florida state driver's license.
On July 10, 2009, Stallworth was released from jail after serving 24 days of a 30-day sentence.
|
A 30 day sentence for killing a HUMAN BEING while driving drunk, of which he only served 24 days.
Ray Lewis:
Quote:
Following a Super Bowl XXXIV party in Atlanta on January 31, 2000, a fight broke out between Lewis and another group of people, resulting in the stabbing deaths of Jacinth Baker and Richard Lollar. Lewis and two companions, Reginald Oakley and Joseph Sweeting, were questioned by Atlanta police, and eleven days later the three men were indicted on murder and aggravated assault charges. The white suit Lewis was wearing the night of the killings has never been found. Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard alleged that the bloodstained suit was dumped in a garbage bin outside a fast food restaurant.
Lewis claimed that the prosecution knew he was not involved in the murder but chose to go ahead with the case anyway, saying "You don't care if I'm guilty or not. You gonna make sure I go to jail for life." Lewis' attorneys, Don Samuel and Ed Garland, of the Atlanta law firm Garland, Samuel & Loeb, negotiated a plea agreement with Howard, the Fulton County District Attorney, where the murder charges against Lewis were dismissed in exchange for his testimony against Oakley and Sweeting, and his guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice. Lewis admitted that he gave a misleading statement to police on the morning after the killings. Superior Court Judge Alice D. Bonner sentenced Lewis to 12 months' probation, the maximum sentence for a first-time offender; and he was fined US$250,000 by the NFL, which was believed to be the highest fine levied against an NFL player for an infraction not involving substance abuse. Under the terms of the sentence, Lewis could not use drugs or alcohol during the duration of the probation.
On April 29, 2004, Lewis reached a settlement with four-year-old India Lollar, born months after the death of her father Richard, preempting a scheduled civil proceeding.
|
Obviously involved in the stabbing deaths of two people. Took a plea to avoid being charged with murder. Settled a civil suit with a victim's family, which essentially acknowledges that if gone to civil trial, there would be enough evidence to find him guilty of the wrongful death.
Paul Hubbard:
Bills receiver Paul Hubbard arrested for DWI after vehicle hits officer
Cedric Benson:
Bengals RB Cedric Benson is arrested for assault causing bodily injury to a family member.
Akeen Jordan:
Eagles LB Akeem Jordan is arrested for assault and battery.
Garret Wolfe:
Bears RB Garrett Wolfe is arrested on charges of retail theft, disorderly conduct, assault of a police officer, and resisting arrest with violence.
Aqib Talib:
Buccaneers CB Aqib Talib is arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Chris Cook:
Vikings CB Chris Cook busted for brandishing a handgun
Brandon Mariweather:
Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather allegedly fired a shot that hit two men.
Albert Haynesworth:
Redskins lineman Albert "Helmet Stomper" Haynesworth accused of punching motorist. Yes, this is the same guy that illegally used his brother's handicapped parking permit, paralyzed a Tennessee motorist while driving his Ferrari at speeds in excess of 100mph, stomped someone's helmet,
Everson Griffen:
Vikings DE Everson Griffen is arrested for felony battery.
Laurence Maroney:
Broncos running back Laurence Maroney has been arrested on weapons charges in St. Louis, according to KMOV-TV.
Perrish Cox:
Denver Broncos' rookie cornerback Perrish Cox on charges of sexual assault.
Will Smith:
New Orleans DE Will Smith Arrested, charged with domestic abuse battery after allegedly grabbing his wife by hair and pulling her down the street.
There's countless others who have been arrested for DUI (one on his 6th offense!), but I left them out. Although driving drunk is very dangerous and can be fatal, I left them off the list because someone will discredit the crime as not being as serious Vick's offenses. Something else to note, all of the players listed above have been implicated in crimes pertaining to HUMAN BEINGS, not animals.
The listings from Paul Hubbard on come from
http://nflcrimes.blogspot.com/, where each listing has a news link to back up the statement. Additionally, they all are within the past year (the oldest listing is the Will Smith listing, which was posted November 27, 2010).
The Stalworth and Ray Lewis info was from Wikipedia.
My point here is that there are countless other players currently active in the NFL who have commited crimes just as severe (if not more) as what Vick did, yet none of those other players feel the wrath of hatred and negative talk as Vick does.
Can anyone who is hating on Vick explain to me why he gets your hatred, but yet none of these other players who have commited serious crimes against HUMAN BEINGS do not? I have my thoughts, but I'd really like to hear it from the haters.